Chapter 13
“Duke Tehas really is amazing!”
I sprang up from my desk in the study, heart racing at the news I had just heard.
Two days ago…
“How about repaying me now?”
“Please become my business partner.”
I remembered the Duke’s stunned, blank expression as he looked at me, and I felt a tinge of embarrassment. But, in the end, it had untangled a very complicated situation, so it was for the better.
It was really unexpected that he agreed so readily.
Feeling cheerful, I went to my wardrobe and asked Meisha to help me get ready to go to Raisin. Unlike last time, when I had concealed my identity, today I would proudly show who I was.
It would also serve as a warning to anyone who had yet to reveal their influence.
My outfit was neatly prepared for both style and activity; the black cloak and dark carriage I had used to hide my identity were gone.
I climbed into the Clody carriage, its crest boldly displayed, and accepted a stack of documents from Meisha outside the window, my excitement mounting.
Today, I would remove the viscount’s many minions from Raisin.
The Duke had agreed to provide manpower in exchange for ten percent of the club’s total revenue.
Because I had no one suitable to fill the positions within Raisin, I had yet to remove the upper-level staff. Requesting the Duke’s assistance in talent recruitment was a simple matter for someone so interested in fostering capable individuals.
I didn’t expect him to send them in just two days.
Arriving at the club, the same men from before stood at the entrance. They had been lingering until they noticed my carriage’s crest, at which point they quickly bowed.
They already knew I had become Raisin’s new manager.
Rumors travel fast.
With their cumbersome help, I entered the hall, now a familiar sight.
Passing the quiet first floor and the noisy second floor, I finally reached the third floor, which I had never entered before.
The third floor was structured similarly to the second, but now, with few high-ranking nobles present, it was almost eerily quiet.
At the innermost door, three people waited for me.
Who had the Duke sent? I wondered as I stepped inside, unable to hide my surprise.
“Welcome, Miss Berian.”
The first to step forward was a man with green hair, bowing respectfully. Behind him, a man and a woman followed suit, also bowing.
Who am I even looking at right now?
These were the three people I had requested to manage finance, administration, and operations.
Sending them on short notice was already generous, but seeing them bow before me like this… these were legendary figures even in my previous life.
Chefrin, the financial officer capable of supporting the Duke directly; Maritian, the first female administrative officer renowned in the capital; and Jin, a management expert coveted even by the Imperial family.
And they shared one more thing in common: they were all commoners.
Even within the Duke’s household, talented individuals abounded—but surviving as a commoner was nearly impossible. They had done it solely on skill.
And now I’m placing them in charge of a single club?
A wave of both pressure and tension hit me, making my hands tremble slightly.
“Ah, it’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
I forced a bright smile to hide my nervousness.
But they were just as awkward as I was.
All three avoided eye contact. Maritian, in particular, kept her head bowed and fiddled with her hands.
“Is there… a problem?” I asked.
Perhaps they were displeased at being summoned suddenly. They glanced at me but did not answer. Then, a thought crossed my mind:
Could it be… they’re watching me?
If so, their hesitation could be explained by pride in their abilities clashing with uncertainty in this unfamiliar situation.
“We are commoners… if our presence makes you uncomfortable, Miss Berian…”
I had guessed as much. To them, as first-timers outside the Duke’s household, I must have seemed uneasy with commoners in the room.
Actually, it’s the opposite.
I tried to reassure them lightly.
“Don’t worry. I never thought that way at all.”
Hearing my sincere words, they exchanged glances among themselves. I tried recalling if they had been this cautious in my previous life, but it didn’t matter—we had no prior connection.
“We’ll do our best,” Chefrin said, stepping forward.
The other two nodded in agreement.
“I’m glad to hear that. I look forward to working with all of you,” I said with a smile. For the first time, a small smile appeared on their faces.
“Tired…”
I muttered the same word repeatedly, collapsing over my desk in the study.
Who would have thought I’d be saying this so often, when in my previous life I rarely had such responsibilities?
Between Raisin, Lael’s lessons, and now helping manage my family, I had no proper day of rest.
It wasn’t particularly difficult, though.
Even without hands-on experience, I recalled countless administrative documents I had read in books.
‘A Crown Princess in name only.’ No matter the hollow reputation, I had given my all, even when no one acknowledged me.
I remembered almost every principle of management the Crown Princess would have needed.
Of course, having competent managers now made it much easier.
My weary eyes drooped.
“Berian, are you okay? Don’t push yourself too hard,” my mother said, placing a bite-sized piece of glossy steak in front of me.
Our family’s situation had improved.
Raisin’s income, though still new, was already respectable, and we poured the profits into household needs—furniture, food, and daily living.
If this continues, one day I’ll regain our former standing.
“Thank you, Mother. But don’t worry, I’m not overexerting myself,” I replied.
Though a hint of concern lingered on her face, it soon softened.
“You’re helping the family a lot these days. I didn’t expect you to grow up so fast, though.”
I just smiled. My mother had always wished to raise me like a child, which allowed me to develop with a touch of innocence in my previous life.
At this age, all young ladies are like this anyway.
I set down the spoon and got up.
“Time for class. I’ll go first. Eat slowly, Mother.”
I headed straight to the central room on the second floor.
“Lael,” I greeted.
It had already been three weeks since I began my twice-weekly lessons with Lael.
“Berian, you’re here already? I thought I might be late today since I came early,” Lael said.
“The carriage arrived, so I saw it,” I replied.
Lael nodded and placed a few books on the desk.
“I’ve found some books you might need. My parents won’t use them, so you can return them later.”
These were the books I had requested from her family library, useful for social etiquette.
When our little transaction was complete, the lesson began.
“Today, we’ll cover a few terms used in high society.”
Lael’s method was practical, focusing only on what I could use in real life, rather than overwhelming me with the entire social scene.
Even though I had spent years as a Crown Princess, my experience in the social sphere of a viscount’s eldest daughter was different.
Even covering the essentials took hours.
“Shall we take a short break?” Lael asked.
I closed the books and rested my forehead on them.
“Is the lesson too hard?” she asked.
“No, not at all,” I said.
It wasn’t the lesson—it was just fatigue.
“I’m just a little tired today. It’ll be fine in a few days. I asked you to prepare this,” I reassured her.
Lael’s connections in high society were extensive; she ensured the right people were noticed and included.
Since I’m stepping into society anyway, I won’t stay at the bottom.
The more connections I form, the more advantageous it becomes.
“Will next week be better?” Lael asked.
“Yes, definitely,” I said, smiling brightly.
Before bed, I lay in my covers, reflecting on the day’s small events.
‘A tea party, huh.’
That new appointment—the tea party—was vivid in my mind.
If someone asked me about my experiences with tea parties, I would have to admit I didn’t know.
As a controlled Crown Princess, and before that, I had no close female peers, so invitations had never come. And if they had, they were always impersonal, obligatory invitations.
Even those, I often declined, as there was no one to greet meaningfully.
So what is a tea party really like?
A little uncertainty stirred in me, but it was just another small social gathering.
I fell asleep without worry, thinking of tomorrow’s schedule.
